The most important lesson in the writing trade is that any manuscript is improved if you cut away the fat.
Robert A. HeinleinRead
Moving parts in rubbing contact require lubrication to avoid excessive wear. Honorifics and formal politeness provide lubrication where people rub together. Often the very young, the untravelled, the naive, the sophisticated deplore these formalities as 'empty,' 'meaningless,' or 'dishonest,' and scorn to use them. No matter how 'pure' their motives, they thereby throw sand into machinery that does not work too well at best.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Formal politeness helps maintain harmony in social interactions.
This quote emphasizes the importance of formalities and politeness in human interactions, comparing them to lubrication in machinery. Heinlein suggests that while some may view these societal rituals as insincere or unnecessary, they play a crucial role in smoothing over interpersonal friction and maintaining social cohesion. The criticism of such formalities often arises from those who are inexperienced or naive, but disregarding them can lead to conflict in communication and relationships.
Themes
PolitenessFormalityRelationshipsSocial InteractionsCommunication
In practice
Example use cases
In a business meeting to emphasize the importance of professionalism and respect.
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Progress is made by lazy men looking for easier ways to do things.
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When a place gets crowded enough to require ID's, social collapse is not far away. It is time to go elsewhere. The best thing about space travel is that it made it possible to go elsewhere.
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